Nov. 14—Pregame
Washington State’s offense ranks among the least productive in the nation. Colorado State’s defense sits dead last in the FBS in points and yards allowed.
Something has to give Saturday night when the Cougars host the Rams at Gesa Field in Pullman for a Pac-12 matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
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WSU (1-8, 0-5 Pac-12 Conference) is still winless against FBS competition under first-year coach Kirby Moore and the team’s scuffling offense has shouldered most of the blame, but the Cougs should have an opportunity to move the ball with better consistency against a porous Rams defense that allows 542.2 total yards and 44.8 points per game.
But nothing’s guaranteed with this WSU offense, which couldn’t sustain much rhythm in the Cougs’ last game, a 26-20 loss to a San Diego State team that also has one of the worst defenses in the FBS. WSU ranks No. 130 out of 138 FBS teams in both scoring offense (19 points per game) and total offense (307.1 yards per game).
WSU’s defense has been decent this year, but has dealt with some tackling slips in recent games, and has struggled to get home for sacks and force turnovers. The unit will be tested by a Rams offense that ranks 20th nationally in points per game (35.8) and 24th in yards (444.1). Colorado State put up 56 points and 549 yards in a win over San Diego State on Oct. 24, a week before the Aztecs held WSU to 20 points and 367 yards.
Still, this is probably WSU’s best remaining opportunity to get on the board in Pac-12 play. The Rams (3-6, 1-4), under first-year coach Jim Mora, have lost six of their last seven games, giving up 64 points last weekend in a loss to Boise State. The Cougars are 8.5-point favorites, according to Vegas Insider.
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CSU had its travel delayed a few hours Friday due to nationwide FAA groundings, and conducted a walk-through on the tarmac while awaiting the green light to take off. The Rams arrived in Pullman around 9 p.m. Friday, according to a post from CSU’s social media.
Series history
WSU is 3-1 all time against the Rams. Colorado State won the first meeting, rallying to beat the Cougars 48-45 in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl. WSU handled the Rams 20-3 last season in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Game preview
Why Washington State will beat Colorado State — The pick
PULLMAN — After nearly two months of losses, six straight games ending in defeats, help is on the way for Washington State. — Read more
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With flight stoppage lifted, Colorado State expects to take off late Friday for WSU game
PULLMAN — Washington State’s opponent this weekend, Colorado State, expects to fly out late Friday for the contest. — Read more
More on the Cougs
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PULLMAN — The first time Matyus McLain sat down to try his new hobby, his mind wandered to his childhood, back when he would battle his younger brother in video games. Matyus and the younger Mason played all kinds of games, and they still do, but one they frequented the most was LEGO Star Wars. — Read more
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Turnovers have often eluded WSU, which has forced only six. How can the Cougars turn that around?
PULLMAN — A steady pitter-patter of rain fell overhead, providing a melancholy soundtrack on top of the locker room at Snapdragon Stadium, the site of Washington State’s latest showing. Jaylen Thomas, the Cougars’ best safety, stood in front of a crimson-and-white backdrop, his white jersey sporting a black stain on his right shoulder and a mix of black and green near the center of his uniform. — Read more
‘My mindset is switched’: How WSU DT Kaden Beatty is guiding the Cougars through a situation he knows well
PULLMAN — Kaden Beatty remembers the dark days like they just vanished over the horizon. He was in his second and final year at Kent State, where things weren’t just bad. They were miserable. — Read more
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
